It is just so super cool to appear in a National Geographic article. This was a article on the emotion of Awe (the focus of my undergraduate research) and i got quoted on it.
https://www.
“Awe is my reminder that beneath the ordinary lies the infinite” says Hari Srinivasan, a doctoral student in neuroscience at Vanderbilt University
What did not get included was how in our n our research on awe in autism, we found that while nature is the top source for everyone, autistic people are more likely to feel awe in science, patterns, big abstract ideas, and even divine or absolute truth, and less in social gatherings. It’s a more abstract and less socially grounded quality of awe. That matters for well-being, because it shows awe isn’t one-size-fits-all - practices like nature walks, stargazing, or exploring new scientific ideas can be especially powerful, low-stress ways for autistic flourishing.
Really had the most wonderful time at the congress.
I got to co-write the foreword for new Autism 4 Dummies book with Dr Temple Grandin. You can read the full text of the foreword on the Frist Center Website
Dear Hari Srinivasan,
Congratulations! You are a 2025 recipient of the Career Luminary Award.
Your outstanding contributions to career empowerment within our university community have not gone unnoticed, and we are thrilled to honor your dedication and excellence. These awards are incredibly special,
Career Luminary Award (Current PhD Student): This award celebrates a graduate student who has shown exceptional dedication to career development within their academic program and has made a significant impact on career-related initiatives.
🎓 What’s Peer Review?
Before a research paper gets published in a scientific journal, they’re sent to 2-3 other experts in the same field (🧠like me now!) to read and give detailed feedback. It’s not just saying a simple yes or no. As a reviewer, you're expected to check if the research question is meaningful, evaluate whether the methods and data are sound, identify missing info or unclear sections, suggest improvements, flag any ethical / technical concerns and recommend whether it should be accepted, revised, or rejected. The goal is to make sure the science is solid before it becomes part of the official literature. The goal is to check for quality, accuracy, and whether the work adds something new to the field. It’s kind of like a report card for a research paper, by people who understand the topic.
Dear Graduate Students,
As we kick off national Graduate Student Appreciation Week, I want to be the first to tell you how grateful we here in the BRET Office are that you are part of our Vanderbilt community. We thank you for the contributions you have made and are making to the progress of science. Your effort and perspectives are important to our faculty, staff, postdocs, and your fellow grad students.
Your hard work, dedication, and resilience are critical elements for our pushing the frontiers of biomedical research, and it is privilege for us to help you along the way.
On behalf of all of my BRET Office colleagues …. thank you for all of your contributions.
Walter J. Chazin, PhD
Chancellor’s Chair in Medicine
Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry
Senior Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
and Training, School of Medicine Basic Sciences
Director, Molecular Biophysics Training Program
Founding Director, Center for Structural Biology